WATCH: Sydenham welcomed cyclists who raise R170k for children’s home
The fundraising target was exceeded by R50k as a team of 12 cyclists completed the mammoth ride from Johannesburg to Durban.
THE atmosphere was electric at St Theresa’s Child and Youth Care Centre in Sydenham on Sunday, October 9, when the community gathered to welcome a group of cyclists who rode from Johannesburg to Durban to raise funds for the home.
A team of 12 cyclists completed the mammoth ride over seven days in what was dubbed the Jozi2Sea Cycle Tour. The community was called to support the cause by donating through a back-a-buddy page. Morningside resident Barry Porter, who initiated the cycle journey, said they covered a distance of more than 600km with the target of raising R120 000 for the home.
“Three more cyclists joined us in Escourt, and about eight cyclists joined us in Pietermaritzburg,” said Porter.
He said the cyclists covered about 100km per day.
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“The ride exceeded all expectations. We set a target of R50 000, and from there it grew to R70 000, R100 000, R120 000 and finally R200 000. We wanted every cent to go to charity, so all cyclists covered their own expenses, including accommodation,” he said.
Speaking to Berea Mail, Debbie Bowes, director of the centre, confirmed that the target was exceeded with a whopping R170 000 raised for the home and donations still pouring in on the back-a-buddy page on Sunday.
For Bowes, the fundraiser is a lifeline after a tough financial period.
“If we look at the situation most NPOs are in, St Theresa’s is no different. We’ve had looting (during the July 2021 unrest), floods, and Covid-19, and with the combination of these three, we have not been able to fundraise. We’ve had no money coming in. It’s been an ongoing struggle to keep the doors of this 97-year-old institution open. This fundraiser has been a real blessing in that we could accumulate this amount of the money – and it’s all for the boys,” she said.
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Bowes added that the funds would contribute to feeding and clothing the boys at the shelter, while also covering medical expenses, school uniforms and counselling costs.
“We want to develop the boys in our care holistically,” she said.
Founded in the 1920s, today, St Theresa’s is home to 68 boys.
